The Canadian Hockey League, an organization comprising the QMJHL, OHL and WHL, has 60 teams. Of this number, 59 eyes are fixed on the city of Saguenay.
• Also read: The departure of Saguenain's top scorer in the middle of the season: a decision without logic
Because the Chicoutimi Saguenéens and their CEO Yannick Jean are dealing with a whole hot potato on their hands. Last week their top scorer Nathan Lecompte announced to them that he was leaving the team.
He initially mentioned to his teammates that he needed to take a break, but a few hours later they learned through agent Allan Walsh that Lecompte intended to continue his career in the United States in the USHL. The Youngstown Phantoms appear to be a team Lecompte would like to partner with.
However, to do this, the Sagas will have to agree to his release. And therein lies the huge dilemma facing Jean and, by extension, the entire Saguenain board of directors.
Should he be released or not?
We know that the QMJHL – and the entire CHL – is in a period of great uncertainty and major change as the NCAA has changed its rules and players on the Canadian team can now make the jump south of the border.
Canadian youth teams are scrambling to get confirmation from their players to ensure they are not looking to leave in the short term. No matter what, they constantly live with the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads. Talk to the Baie Comeau longship who saw Justin Poirier leave for the University of Maine last summer.
And Poirier had every right to make such a decision if he and his advisers considered it best for his development. That's not the point.
Currently, the only semblance of certainty that KHL teams have is that once the calendar starts, the players they have on their roster will honor their agreement and remain with the team for the entire season. At least if they want to leave, their team can trade them and get items in return.
That's why Saggs' decision is so important: Lecompte's release could set a precedent.
KHL executives and players' agents are closely monitoring this issue.
Conversely, do we want to arm wrestle an 18 year old and let him hang around for weeks while we call ourselves a development league?
This is a huge dilemma for the Sagas.
A decision that is not unanimous
Since last week I have had many conversations on this issue with hockey players, managers, recruiters and agents.
I haven't spoken to anyone who supported Lecomte's decision. Recruiters told us they're not sure leaving a team mid-season is necessarily a way to advance, since teams need team players in their ranks in addition to points.
And not to mention that Lecompte is not one of them, they admit that this decision sends a mixed message.
There will be important internal discussions at Sags in the coming days. The Sags can't make a mistake because the entire KHL is watching right now.
Both Yanick Jean and the Sagueneens board of directors know this very well.
